News

Rape of teenager: SJB alleges bid to suppress probe as nine suspects get bail

Published

5 years ago

2021/07/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

Govt. insists inquiry on track, urges Opposition not to propagate lies

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Rohini Kaviratne says an attempt is being made to suppress the ongoing investigations into the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl.

The government had interfered in the inquiry following the arrest of an influential monk in connection with the high profile inquiry, the Matale District MP alleged.

“We are closely watching the situation,” MP Kaviratne said, adding that she intended to raise the issue at the next meeting of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus. “We’ll issue a strong statement on the plight of the teenager forced into prostitution and the failure on the part of those responsible to protect women and children,” MP Kaviratne said.

Answering another query, the former UNP MP urged the government to ensure an impartial and a speedy inquiry into the entire sordid case.

Referring to recent reports of law enforcement personnel sexually abusing women in police stations, MP Kavirtane said that among those who had been arrested over the rape of the teenager was a policeman. Media reports of she having had hundreds of clients in relatively a short period should prompt a thorough investigation, MP Kaviratne said, pointing out that the sex racket had taken place amidst all sorts of travel restrictions imposed in view of the raging Covid-19 epidemic.

The Island raised the issue at hand with Chairperson of Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle, who assured they would certainly take up the matter.

Lawmaker Kaviratne said that the SJB would take up the issue both in and outside Parliament. “We’ll not keep quiet if those in authority intervene on behalf of the suspects,” she said.

The MP pointed out that the Deputy Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha E.M.L. Edirisinge of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had been among those arrested; he was granted bail. She noted that the local government politician was not the only person who had received bail.

Responding to the SJB’s accusations, Public Security Minister Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera yesterday (12) told The Island there was absolutely no basis for criticism. He asked the Opposition to reveal who on behalf of the government or his Ministry interfered in the inquiry.

Referring to the arrest of a Navy cardiologist holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander, one-time Navy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Weerasekera said that the police were conducting investigations. Minister Weerasekera urged the SJB not to play opportunistic politics with the issue at hand as it did with every other incident. He said the Children and Women Bureau conducted the investigation with the support of the CID.

Former IGP Chandra Fernando, speaking to The Island in his new capacity as the Chairman of the National Police Commission (NPC), emphasised that his outfit had not so far received complaints as regards shortcomings on the part of the police investigations or interventions to derail the probe. Fernando said that he had received a note from the National Child Protection Authority in that regard. The NPC could inquire into the status of the investigation, he said.

Director, Police Media, SSP Nihal Talduwa told The Island that the initial breakthrough had been made by HQI, Mount Lavinia Dileepa Perera following a tip-off received from the public. The police searched a place at Station Road where they found the girl with her brother and the two sons of her mother’s paramour. The 35-year-old man had advertised her online over the past several months without attracting the attention of regulatory authorities, SSP Talduwa said.

Among those who had been arrested so far in connection with the ongoing investigation are the girl’s mother and her paramour.

The Island raised the contentious issue of some of those who had been arrested in connection with the rape of a minor being granted bail before the completion of investigations, with Justice Ministry advisor and former President of the Sri Lanka Bar Association U.R. de Silva, PC. According to him, the Colombo Additional Magistrate Roshani Abeywickrema on July 9 had granted bail to four persons the Vice Chairman of the Mihintale Pradeshiya Saba, the Navy cardiologist and two leading businessmen after they were produced at identification parades. They were released on Rs. 25,000 cash bail and two sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each. The former BASL President emphasized that once suspects appeared before identification parades, they could be released. “There cannot be any issue over that,” De Silva said. Earlier, the court granted bail to the girl’s mother.

The Police Children and Women’s Bureau Director declined to comment on the investigation. Asked whether at least she could shed light on some of those arrested receiving bail under controversial circumstances, she said that the media should contact Senior DIG Ajith Rohana.

Senior DIG Rohana said altogether nine persons had so far been granted bail. Granting bail was the prerogative of courts, he added.

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Sun directly overhead Pomparippu, Anuradhapura, Mihinthale, Galenbindunuwewa, Agbopura and Serunuwara about 12:11 noon today (11)

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/11

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (11th) are Pomparippu, Anuradhapura, Mihinthale, Galenbindunuwewa, Agbopura and Serunuwara about 12:11 noon.

News

Opposition NCM against Energy Minister defeated

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/11

Thilina Walpola

A no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody was defeated in Parliament yesterday by a majority of 104 votes.At the end of the debate, 49 members voted in favour of the motion, while 153 voted against it.

The motion, submitted to the Speaker on 19 March, was signed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, SJB MPs, and other Opposition members.

It accused Minister Jayakody of failing to ensure the procurement of adequate and quality coal for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai, alleging that such negligence amounted to a breach of ministerial responsibility over a critical national energy asset.

The motion also cited ongoing legal proceedings against the Minister, noting that he has been indicted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and produced before the Colombo High Court under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, in connection with alleged acts of corruption during his tenure as Procurement Manager of the Ceylon Fertiliser Company Limited.

The motion read: Vote of No Confidence against Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy,— Whereas the Provision in Section 6 of the Part III of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament which states that: “The Members shall on all occasions act in accordance with the public trust entrusted with them and shall always behave with probity and integrity, including the use by them of any public resources.” has been violated; And whereas the following rules of conduct set out in Section 9 of the Part V of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament have prima facie been breached, namely:- “(a) to be conscience; (c) to act so as to merit the trust and respect of the people; (e) to hold themselves accountable for the conduct and duties for which they are responsible;” And whereas it is observed that the Minister has failed, in his capacity as a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, to discharge the fundamental duties incumbent upon him in accordance with Article 28 of the Constitution;

And whereas it is established that the Minister of Energy has failed to discharge his primary duty of ensuring the procurement of adequate and good quality coal for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant;

And whereas such gross negligence in overseeing a critical national energy asset constitutes a fundamental breach of ministerial responsibility;

And whereas the Minister of Energy has failed to carry out the subjects and functions vested in him by the Notification of Gazette Extraordinary No. 2412/08 of 25th November 2024 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, including taking necessary steps to reduce the losses at the institutional management level and technical damages that occur to the electricity generation and distribution system and reduction of costs for generating electricity and removal of uncertainties during generation;

And whereas the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has filed formal indictments before the Colombo High Court against the incumbent Minister of Energy under Section 70 of the Bribery Act (Chapter 26) for the offence of “corruption” in connection with acts of corruption allegedly committed while he was serving as the Procurement Manager of the Lanka Fertilizer Company;

And whereas, in light of the foregoing, the Minister of Energy has irretrievably forfeited the confidence of Parliament and the people of Sri Lanka by causing losses to public finances, endangering national energy security, corruptly mishandling the procurement process, being subjected to active judicial proceedings for the offence of “corruption”, and betraying the Government’s own “anti-corruption mandate”, and his continued tenure as the Minister of Energy is contrary to the public interest, the rule of law, and the principles of good governance;

That this Parliament resolves that it has no confidence in the competence of Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy to function as a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers any longer.”

by Saman Indrajith

News

Chinese Ambassador assures Lanka China will not allow a fuel crisis to develop here

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/11

Thilina Walpola

Qi Zhenhong

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong yesterday assured that China would not allow a fuel crisis to arise in Sri Lanka, under any circumstances, reaffirming Beijing’s continued support to the country.

The Ambassador made these remarks addressing the media after attending a dry ration distribution programme for 350 low-income families at Sri Chandananda Buddhist College, at Asgiriya, in Kandy.

Highlighting the longstanding ties between the two countries, Ambassador Qi said China has consistently stood by Sri Lanka and remains ready to extend assistance whenever required.

Amid concerns over global energy disruptions, stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict, he noted that several countries are already facing difficulties, but stressed that China is prepared to support Sri Lanka at any time.

He said that any potential fuel shortage in Sri Lanka could be managed with the involvement of China’s Sinopec.

Reiterating Beijing’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and development, the Envoy also expressed hope that the current ceasefire in the Middle East would hold, while assuring that China stands ready to respond to any future developments and assist Sri Lanka as needed.

By SK Samaranayake